Religious?
 

I have been thinking about checking out OA but I have always gotten the impression that it is very religion based. Is that true? I'm not a religious person and feel as though a program based on religion would really turn me off. But I do feel like I need help with my overeating and binging.

Well it can see "religious", but really the deal is that we have to admit that we are powerless over food (evidenced usually by years of diet/fall off wagon/gain more weight/etc) and that we can not do this alone, we need a power greater than just our "willpower". For some people it is the power of the group, for others it is a god concept. Give it a try. The power of the group of people who are in your position and know exactly what drama you go thru about food can be a huge positive thing. When you are in pain it is hard to reach out, but OA is a very accepting, flexible and loving program.

It isn't a religious program, but it can be a spiritual program. The literature talks about finding a power greater than yourself-- a higher power that you can define however you wish. Then, I guess to keep things simple, they use the word God when refering to said "higher power". The "God" word really throws people. A lot of people just call it HP. I've heard people define GOD as Good Orderly Direction--doing the next right thing.

The big thing for me when starting AA years ago and now OA, is that I'm powerless over alcohol & food. The alcohol part is easier. Just don't drink. The food part is more difficult for me. I think I have power over vegetables because I don't binge on them, but that's really playing mindgames with myself.

I have trigger foods (sugar and white flour). I can also binge on non-trigger foods to try and stuff whatever down or fill that void.

So I know I am powerless over these substances. Yet here are these groups of people who have had success with these issues. They tell me that finding a Higher Power and working the 12 steps is what has worked for them. That in and of itself is a power greater than me. So if I want what they have, I'll do what they do. They seem to have a solution that I didn't. Why not try it? What had I to lose?

Then you have the fellowship--the people in the rooms. These people understand where you are at better than anyone else can. In our addictive/binging/purging behavior, we think no one else has done what we have done or could possibly understand. But they can and do.

Obviously, I am a fan of the 12 steps. I've been sober since August 1992 and abstinent since Sept 07. And I'm not a "religious" or church person.

I hope you can connect. :hug:
Amy :)

I agree with the other posters. OA is not a religious program, but it is a spiritual one. For what it's worth, I'm an agnostic, yet I've found great results so far. I'm very comfortable with the way that OA approaches the "God" issue.

Do yourself a favor. Try OA out. Keep the parts you like and discard the rest. Most importantly, keep coming back to meetings!

There's an atheist who attends my weekly OA meetings. She has lost over 200 pounds.:carrot:

Thanks for the info everyone. I will have to check out what meetings are available in my area and give it a try, it can't do any harm only help!